Processing machine for concrete surface and method of processing concrete surface

ABSTRACT

A processing apparatus is used for surface treatment of undried concrete. The processing apparatus comprises a main body portion placed on the undried concrete; a first roller provided on a bottom portion of the main body portion; a second roller provided on a back side of the first roller on the bottom portion and arranged in parallel to the first roller; a driving portion mounted on the main body portion and configured to give a rotational driving force to the first roller and the second roller; and a handle portion protruded forward from the main body portion to be held by an operator who stands in front of the main body portion. The first roller and the second roller are configured to idle in such a state that the first roller and the second roller come into contact with a surface of the undried concrete by the rotational driving force of the driving portion, when the operator holds the handle portion to move the main body portion forward.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application 2021-199648 filed on Dec. 8, 2021 to the Japanese Patent Office, and the entirety of the disclosure of Japanese patent application 2021-199648 is hereby incorporated for all purposes by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND

For example, in a process of placing concrete on a floor surface of, for example, an earth floor or a carport, surface treatment is generally performed to level off and smooth the surface of undried concrete placed on the floor surface and to remove a laitance formed on the surface of the concrete. Such surface treatment is generally performed by an operator’s manual procedures using a wooden trowel or a metal trowel or is performed by using a device such as a “trowel machine” as disclosed in JP 2007-100426A.

The manual procedures of surface treatment, however, have problems, for example, heavy physical load on the operator and the difficulty in finding a skilled worker assuring the high finishing quality. The method using a machine device such as a trowel machine, on the other hand, has a difficulty in carriage of the machine device into a constructing location having a small constructing area, for example, an earth floor of a general house, a floor surface of a carport and a scarcement, and in handling of the machine device in such a constructing location. The trowel machine is configured to spina member corresponding to a metal trowel along the surface of concrete as an object to be processed. The spinnig of the member is, however, likely to spread the laitance and make it difficult to sufficiently remove the laitance. Accordingly, a manual procedure using a metal trowel may be required for removal of the laitance after the operation using the trowel machine.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique of facilitating surface treatment of undried concrete in the process of placing concrete on a floor surface.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a processing apparatus used for surface treatment of undried concrete. The processing apparatus of this aspect comprises a main body portion placed on the undried concrete; a first roller provided on a bottom portion of the main body portion; a second roller provided on a back side of the first roller on the bottom portion and arranged in parallel to the first roller; a driving portion mounted on the main body portion and configured to give a rotational driving force to the first roller and the second roller; and a handle portion protruded forward from the main body portion to be held by an operator who stands in front of the main body portion. The first roller and the second roller are configured to idle in such a state that the first roller and the second roller come into contact with a surface of the undried concrete by the rotational driving force of the driving portion, when the operator holds the handle portion to move the main body portion forward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a processing apparatus according to a first embodiment viewed from the top;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the processing apparatus of the first embodiment viewed from the bottom;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the internal structure of a main body portion in a perspective manner in the processing apparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an operation panel of an operating portion;

FIG. 5 is a process flowchart showing a method of placing concrete;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the processing apparatus to perform surface treatment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating the internal structure of a bottom portion of a main body portion in a processing apparatus according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a processing apparatus according to a third embodiment viewed from the bottom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 1. First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a processing apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment viewed from the top. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the state that the processing apparatus 10 is operated by an operator OP. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the processing apparatus 10 viewed from the bottom. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the processing apparatus 10. FIG. 3 illustrates the internal structure of a main body portion 11 of the processing apparatus 10 in a perspective manner.

Arrows representing an X direction, a Y direction and a Z direction that are orthogonal to one another are illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 . The X direction corresponds to a width direction of the processing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , the arrow representing the X direction indicates a direction from a right side toward a left side of the operator OP who operates the processing apparatus 10. The Y direction corresponds to a front-back direction of the processing apparatus 10. The arrow representing the Y direction indicates a direction of forward movement of the processing apparatus 10. In the description hereof, a side of the processing apparatus 10 where the operator OP stands to operate the processing apparatus 10 is defined as a “front side” of the processing apparatus 10, and an opposite side thereof is defined as a “back side” of the processing apparatus. The Z direction corresponds to a height direction of the processing apparatus 10. The arrow representing the Z direction indicates a direction from a bottom side toward a top side.

The processing apparatus 10 is used for surface treatment of undried concrete in the process of placing concrete, for example, on an earth floor of a general house, on a floor surface of a carport or on a scarcement. A method of placing concrete using the processing apparatus 10 will be described later. For surface treatment by the processing apparatus 10, the operator OP stands in front of the processing apparatus 10 and pulls a handle portion 30 of the processing apparatus 10 to advance a main body portion 11 thereof in the Y direction.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the processing apparatus 10 includes the main body portion 11 placed on the surface of undried concrete; a pair of rollers 21 and 22 provided on a bottom portion of the main body portion 11 to support the main body portion 11; a driving portion 25 configured to give a rotational driving force to the respective rollers 21 and 22; and the handle portion 30 held by the operator OP.

With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , according to the embodiment, the main body portion 11 is configured by a hollow housing body and includes a plurality of frame members 12 provided to form a framework and a plurality of cover members 13 stretched across the respective frame members 12. The frame members 12 and the cover members 13 are made of, for example, a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The frame members 12 and the cover members 13 may, however, be made of a material other than the metal, for example, a resin material such as a plastic material. The cover members 13 may be omitted.

With reference to FIG. 2 , according to the embodiment, the frame members 12 include a pair of side frames 12 s that configure a bottom portion of the main body portion 11 and that are arranged in parallel to each other along the Y direction. The respective rollers 21 and 22 are placed between the pair of side frames 12 s. Respective ends of rotating shafts of the respective rollers 21 and 22 are supported by the side frames 12 in a rotatable manner. Lower side faces of the respective rollers 21 and 22 are protruded downward from the bottom portion of the main body portion 11.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 are arranged in parallel in the front-back direction. The first roller 21 is provided on the front side, and the second roller 22 is provided on the back side of the first roller 21.

According to the embodiment, the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 are respectively formed by metal cylindrical members. The respective rollers 21 and 22 may, however, be formed by members other than the metal members, for example, by resin members. The first roller 21 and the second roller 22 may be made of different materials.

Each of the rollers 21 and 22 may have a diameter of, for example, about 5 cm to 30 cm. Each of the rollers 21 and 22 may also have a length in the X direction of, for example, about 40 cm to 80 cm. According to the embodiment, the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 are formed to have identical dimensions. According to another embodiment, the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 may be formed to have different dimensions.

According to the embodiment, the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 are formed to have smooth side faces having approximately identical degrees of smoothness. According to another embodiment, the respective side faces of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 may have different degrees of smoothness. For example, the side face of the second roller 22 that has a larger effect on the finishing quality may have a higher degree of smoothness than the degree of smoothness of the side face of the first roller 21.

It is preferable that the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 are configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body portion 11. This configuration enables the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 to be readily cleaned after the operation of surface treatment.

With reference to FIG. 3 , the driving portion 25 includes a first driving system 25 a configured to give the rotational driving force to the first roller 21; a second driving system 25 b configured to give the rotational driving force to the second roller 22; a power source portion 25 e configured to supply electric power to the first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b; and a control unit 25 c configured to control the rotations of the rollers 21 and 22.

The first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b are mounted inside of the main body portion 11 and are supported by the frame members 12. Each of the driving systems 25 a and 25 b includes a motor 26 configured to generate the rotational driving force that is to be given to the roller 21 or to the roller 22; and a connection mechanism 27 configured to connect the motor 26 with each of the rollers 21 and 22.

The motor 26 is configured by, for example, a DC brushless motor. The motor 26 may have a rated output of, for example, about 30 to 100 W. According to the embodiment, the motor 26 is driven at a rotation speed at least in a range of 0 to 100 rpm. According to the embodiment, motors of an identical specification are employed for the motors 26 of the first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b. According to another embodiment, motors of different specifications may be employed for the motors 26 of the first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b.

The connection mechanism 27 serves as a decelerator, or a speed reducer, configured to reduce a rotation speed produced by the motor 26 and output a torque corresponding to a speed reduction ratio to the roller 21 or to the roller 22. The connection mechanism 27 includes a timing belt 28 configured to transmit the rotational driving force. According to another embodiment, the timing belt 28 may be replaced by, for example, a chain.

In the processing apparatus 10, the driving portion 25 includes the first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b. This configuration enables the processing apparatus 10 to individually control the rotational drives of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. The processing apparatus 10 is accordingly allowed to rotate the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 at different rotation speeds, as well as to rotate the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 at an identical rotation speed. Moreover, the processing apparatus 10 is allowed to rotate the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 in opposite directions to each other and is also allowed to rotate only one of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 while stopping the other. The operator OP is allowed to control the rotational drives of the respective rollers 21 and 22 through an operation of an operating portion 35 described later.

The power source portion 25 e is provided on a front face of the main body portion 11 which is provided with the handle portion 30. The power source portion 25 e is configured by a secondary battery that is chargeable and dischargeable in a repeated manner, for example, a lithium ion battery. This configuration does not require a power cord used to connect with an external power supply and thereby enhances the ease of handling of the processing apparatus 10. According to the embodiment, the power source portion 25 e is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body portion 11. This configuration facilitates the replacement and the charging operation of the power source portion 25 e. As described above, the power source portion 25 e is provided on the front face of the main body portion 11. This configuration enables the operator OP holding the handle portion 30 to readily access the power source portion 25 e and readily attach and detach the power source portion 25 e.

The control unit 25 c is placed in an upper part of the main body portion 11. The control unit 25 c is supported by the frame members 12 stretched above the first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b. This configuration suppresses concrete from adhering to the control unit 25 c during driving of the processing apparatus 10.

The control unit 25 c is connected with the motors 26 of the driving portion 25, with the power source portion 25 e, and with the operating portion 35 described later by non-illustrated wirings. The control unit 25 c includes a control circuit configured to control the electric power supplied from the power source portion 25 e to the motors 26 and a control circuit configured to control the rotational drives of the motors 26 in response to the operator OP’s operation of the operating portion 35.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the handle portion 30 includes a stick element 31 extended forward from the front face of the main body portion 11 and a pair of grips 32 provided on an upper end of the stick element 31 to be held by a left hand and a right hand of the operator OP.

With reference to FIG. 3 , a lower end of the stick element 31 is mounted to the bottom portion of the main body portion 11. The lower end of the stick element 31 is linked with the main body portion 11 via a hinge mechanism 33 such as to be pivotally movable upward and downward relative to the main body portion 11. This configuration enables the operator OP to hold the handle portion 30 at a position suitable for the operator OP’s height.

It is preferable that the stick element 31 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body portion 11. Separation of the handle portion 30 from the main body portion 11 before the operation or after the operation facilitates carriage and maintenance of the processing apparatus 10.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the pair of grips 32 are rod-like elements respectively extended leftward and rightward from the upper end of the stick element 31 at the center. According to the embodiment, the pair of grips 32 are configured by respective ends of a rod-like member fixed to the upper end of the stick element 31.

With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 , the processing apparatus 10 further includes the operating portion 35. The operating portion 35 accepts the operator OP’s operations of controlling the rotational drives of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 and sends signals representing the details of the operations to the control unit 25 c.

The operating portion 35 is provided on the handle portion 30. The operating portion 35 is provided on the upper end of the stick element 31 and is placed at a position between the pair of grips 32 in the width direction. According to the embodiment, the wiring used to connect the operating portion 35 with the control unit 25 c as described above is placed inside of the stick element 31.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation panel 36 of the operating portion 35. The operating portion 35 includes the operation panel 36 that face up and that configures a surface opposed to the operator OP who holds the handle portion 30. The operation panel 36 is provided with a first switch group 41 used to operate the drives of the first roller 21 and with a second switch group 42 used to operate the drives of the second roller 22. Each of the switch groups 41 and 42 includes a drive switch 45, a rotating direction switch 46, and a rotation speed adjustment switch 47.

The drive switch 45 accepts a switching operation between ON and OFF of the rotational drive of each of the rollers 21 and 22. The rotating direction switch 46 accepts a switching operation of the rotating direction of each of the rollers 21 and 22. In the processing apparatus 10, the switching operation of the rotating direction switch 46 switches the rotating direction of each of the rollers 21 and 22 between a rotating direction in which the main body portion 11 self-moves forward and a rotating direction in which the main body portion 11 self-moves backward.

With reference to FIG. 3 , the rotating direction in which the main body portion 11 self-moves forward is a rotating direction indicated by an arrow FR and is a counterclockwise direction when each of the rollers 21 and 22 is viewed in the X direction. In the description below, the rotation in this direction is referred to as “forward direction rotation”. The rotating direction in which the main body portion 11 self-moves backward is a rotating direction indicated by an arrow RR and is a clockwise direction when each of the rollers 21 and 22 is viewed in the X direction. In the description below, the rotation in this direction is referred to as “backward direction rotation”.

With reference to FIG. 4 , the rotation speed adjustment switch 47 accepts an operation for adjusting the rotation speed of each of the rollers 21 and 22. According to the embodiment, the rotation speed adjustment switch 47 is configured by a rotary control knob. In the processing apparatus 10, the rotation speed of each of the rollers 21 and 22 is changed according to a rotational angle of the rotation speed adjustment switch 47.

The drive switch 45, the rotating direction switch 46 and the rotation speed adjustment switch 47 may not be separately provided in the operating portion 35. For example, the operating portion 35 may be provided with a switch or a lever that serves as both the drive switch 45 and the rotating direction switch 46 or may be provided with a control knob or a dial that serves as all the drive switch 45, the rotating direction switch 46 and the rotation speed adjustment switch 47. The operating portion 35 may be provided with an emergency stop switch to urgently stop the processing apparatus 10, in addition to the drive switches 45, the rotating direction switches 46 and the rotation speed adjustment switches 47.

With reference to FIG. 1 , the main body portion 11 of the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is provided with balance adjustment elements 50 configured to adjust the position of the center of gravity of the main body portion 11. According to the embodiment, the balance adjustment elements 50 are provided at four different locations, i.e., at respective ends in the X direction and at respective ends in the Y direction on an upper face of the main body portion 11. The operator OP regulates weights 51 attached to the balance adjustment elements 50, so as to adjust the position of the center of gravity of the main body portion 11 in the front-back direction and in the width direction. The position of the center of gravity of the main body portion 11 may be adjusted, for example, according to an angle of inclination of a formation level.

The following describes the method of placing concrete using the processing apparatus 10 with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 . FIG. 5 is a process flowchart showing the method of placing concrete. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the processing apparatus 10 to perform surface treatment of undried concrete. FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a constructing location along with a schematic side view of the processing apparatus 10.

At step S10, the operator OP spreads crushed stones on a basement layer BL that is a soil layer on a surface of a constructing location to form a crushed stone layer SL covering over the entire constructing location. The crushed stone layer SL is formed to have, for example, a thickness of about 5 to 15 cm.

At step S20, the operator OP places a formwork that surrounds and divides an area where concrete is to be poured, with a view to suppressing concrete from spreading over to any undesired locations.

At step S30, the operator OP places reinforcing steel members RF on the crushed stone layer SL within the formwork. The reinforcing steel members RF are configured by, for example, wire meshes formed by assembling wires in a lattice form. The reinforcing steel members RF configure an internal framework of a concrete layer CL and suppresses solidified concrete from cracking.

At step S40, the operator OP pours freshly mixed concrete into the formwork to form a concrete layer CL including the reinforcing steel members RF inside thereof. The concrete layer CL is formed to have, for example, a thickness of about 5 to 15 cm.

At step S50, the operator OP places the main body portion 11 of the processing apparatus 10 on the undried concrete layer CL. This places the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 of the processing apparatus 10 on the surface of the undried concrete.

At step S60, the operator OP performs surface treatment of the undried concrete layer CL by using the processing apparatus 10. The operator OP holds the handle portion 30 and rotates and drives the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 via the driving portion 25, so as to perform surface treatment. The details of the surface treatment performed at step S60 will be described after the description of a subsequent step S70.

At step S70, the operator OP removes the processing apparatus 10 from the top of the concrete layer CL and waits until the concrete is dried. After the concrete is dried, the operator OP removes the formwork and performs a finishing work on the concrete and other required finishing works. This series of processes completes placing the concrete.

The following describes the surface treatment performed at step S60 by using the processing apparatus 10 with reference to FIG. 6 .

The operator OP manipulates the operating portion 35 to start the rotations of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 via the driving portion 25. The operator OP holds the handle portion 30 and pulls the handle portion 30 forward to move the main body portion 11 forward, so as to idle at least one of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 in the state that the rollers 21 and 22 comes into contact with the surface of the undried concrete. In the description hereof, “idling of a roller” means that the roller rotates in such a state that a moving speed of a rotating shaft of the roller is different from a peripheral speed of the roller.

For example, the operator OP may move the main body portion 11 forward as shown by an arrow FW, while rotating the respective rollers 21 and 22 in a backward direction as shown by arrows RR, so as to make the respective rollers 21 and 22 idle. In another example, the operator OP may move the main body portion 11 in a forward direction shown by the arrow FW at a speed higher than the peripheral speeds of the respective rollers 21 and 22, while rotating the respective rollers 21 and 22 in a forward direction that is opposite to the rotating direction shown by the arrows RR. In another example, the operator OP may move the main body portion 11 in the front-back direction, while rotating the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 in opposite directions to each other.

The respective rollers 21 and 22 move on the surface of the undried concrete with idling as described above, so that the surface of the undried concrete is rubbed and smoothened by the side faces of the respective rollers 21 and 22. In the processing apparatus 10, the respective rollers 21 and 22 rub the surface of the undried concrete with pressing certain widths of the surface of the undried concrete. This configuration enables the surface layer of the undried concrete to be readily smoothened. In the processing apparatus 10, the surface of the undried concrete is leveled off and smoothed by idling of the first roller 21 and is then finished to be smoother by idling of the second roller 22. This configuration improves the finishing quality of the surface of the concrete layer CL with high efficiency.

Water present inside of the concrete rises to the surface of the undried concrete with elapse of a time period after concrete placing. This phenomenon or the water rising by this phenomenon is called “bleeding water”. A “laitance” that is a thin layer of cement and aggregate particles in the concrete rising with such bleeding water is likely to be formed on the surface of the undried concrete.

Solidification of concrete without sufficiently removing the laitance is likely to cause cracks in the surface layer of concrete or is likely to deteriorate the visual quality of concrete. In the case where freshly mixed concrete is placed on the concrete solidified without sufficient removal of the laitance, the laitance formed on the surface of the old concrete as a lower layer is likely to interfere with bonding of the fresh concrete as an upper layer with the old concrete as the lower layer.

The processing apparatus 10 of the embodiment, on the other hand, readily removes the laitance formed on the surface of the undried concrete by idling and resulting rubbing of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. Accordingly, the configuration of this embodiment suppresses the occurrence of the problems caused by the laitance as described above, for example, cracking on the surface, deterioration of the visual quality, and interference of bonding of the fresh concrete with the old concrete.

In the processing apparatus 10, the main body portion 11 is supported by the pair of rollers 21 and 22 in the stable position. This configuration enables the main body portion 11 to be readily handled by the operator OP’s guiding operation using the handle portion 30. Accordingly, the processing apparatus 10 has the high ease of handling in a narrow constructing location.

The processing apparatus 10 has the simple configuration with the rotational drive mechanism of the pair of rollers 21 and 22 as the main part. This configuration allows for downsizing of the processing apparatus 10. Additionally, the processing apparatus 10 is readily handled and is turned in a small space by the operator OP as described above. Accordingly, the processing apparatus 10 is favorably used in constructing locations having the areas of not larger than 15 m² and constructing locations having the width of not greater than 1 m, for example, an earth floor of a general house, a floor surface of a carport and a scarcement.

The processing apparatus 10 enables surface treatment of undried concrete to be performed by the simple standing operations of the operator OP to control the rotations of the rollers 21 and 22 and to move the main body portion 11 by manipulation of the handle portion 30. The configuration of the embodiment remarkably reduces the physical load on the operator OP, compared with manual procedures of surface treatment using a wooden trowel or a metal trowel. The configuration of the embodiment also reduces a variation in quality of surface treatment due to a difference in skills among the operators OP.

As described above, in the processing apparatus 10, the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 are respectively rotated and driven by the first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b. This configuration allows for individual control of the rotational drives of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. The operator OP is thus allowed to individually regulate the rotations of the respective rollers 21 and 22 according to the conditions of the concrete. This configuration readily enhances the finishing quality of the surface of the concrete.

In the processing apparatus 10, the operating portion 35 is provided in the handle portion 30 and is thus located near the hands of the operator OP. This configuration enables the operator OP to readily control the rotations of the respective rollers 21 and 22 with checking the surface conditions of the concrete. This readily enhances the finishing quality of the surface of the concrete.

For example, the operator OP may operate the processing apparatus 10 at step S60 as described below. The operator OP first rotates the respective rollers 21 and 22 in the forward direction to self-move the main body portion 11 backward. The operator OP subsequently pulls the handle portion 30 forward and moves the main body portion 11 forward with idling the respective rollers 21 and 22 to level off and smooth the surface of the concrete and to return the main body portion 11 to an original position prior to the self-move. The operator OP then shifts the main body portion 11 in the width direction and repeats the process of self-moving the main body portion 11 backward and the process of moving forward the main body portion 11 with idling the respective rollers 21 and 22 described above. Repeatedly moving back and forth the processing apparatus 10 in this manner enables the surface of undried concrete to be readily processed over the entire area of a wide constructing location.

As described above, the processing apparatus 10 and the method of surface treatment of undried concrete according to the first embodiment readily remove the laitance, while smoothening the surface of the undried concrete by idling of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. Accordingly, the configuration of the embodiment remarkably reduces the load on the operator, while suppressing deterioration of the finishing quality of concrete. This configuration also significantly reduces the working time and the cost required for placing concrete.

2. Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating the internal structure of a bottom portion of a main body portion 11 in a processing apparatus 10A according to a second embodiment. As a matter of convenience, the cover members 13, the first driving system 25 a and the second driving system 25 b are omitted from the illustration of FIG. 7 . The processing apparatus 10A of the second embodiment has a similar configuration to that of the processing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, except that the processing apparatus 10A is additionally provided with two wipers 55 a and 55 b.

In the processing apparatus 10A of the second embodiment, the main body portion 11 further includes a first wiper 55 a placed to wipe the side face of the first roller 21 and a second wiper 55 b placed to wipe the side face of the second roller 22. The two wipers 55 a and 55 b are blade-like members and are made of a resin material, such as a rubber. It is preferable that each of the wipers 55 a and 55 b is configured to wipe the entirety in the width direction of the side face of the corresponding roller 21 or 22.

The respective wipers 55 a and 55 b are placed at positions higher than center axes of the respective rollers 21 and 22. It is preferable that each of the wipers 55 a and 55 b is placed at a position closer to an upper end of each of the rollers 21 and 22 than the center axis of each of the rollers 21 and 22. This configuration suppresses the concrete wiped out by the wipers 55 a and 55 b from falling down on the formation level.

The processing apparatus 10A of the second embodiment enables the concrete adhering to the side faces of the respective rollers 21 and 22 to be removed by the respective wipers 55 a and 55 b in the process of surface treatment of undried concrete. This configuration accordingly suppresses deterioration of the finishing quality of the surface of the concrete due to adhesion of the concrete on the side faces of the respective rollers 21 and 22.

3. Third Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a processing apparatus 10B according to a third embodiment viewed from the bottom. The processing apparatus 10B of the third embodiment has a similar configuration to that of the processing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, except that the processing apparatus 10B has a concavo-convex structure 58 on the side face of the first roller 21.

The concavo-convex structure 58 of the first roller 21 is provided by, for example, forming grooves on the side face of the first roller 21. In the illustrated example of FIG. 8 , the concavo-convex structure 58 is configured by a groove portion obliquely circulating the side face of the first roller 21. In another example, the concavo-convex structure 58 may be configured by groove portions in a lattice pattern provided on the side face of the first roller 21. In another example, the concavo-convex structure 58 on the side face of the first roller 21 may be configured by protrusions provided on the side face of the first roller 21.

In the processing apparatus 10B of the third embodiment, the surface of the undried concrete is loosened and scratched by the concavo-convex structure 58 on the side face of the first roller 21 and is then smoothened by the side face of the smooth second roller 22. Furthermore, the processing apparatus 10B of the third embodiment more reliably removes even the laitance in the middle of solidification.

4. Modifications

The present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments described above but may also be implemented by a variety of modified configurations as described below.

4-1. Modification 1

In the respective embodiments described above, the driving portion 25 may not be configured to individually control the rotational drives of the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 but may be configured to rotate and drive the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 in the same manner. The driving portion 25 may be configured to rotate the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 at an identical speed in different rotating directions. In the respective embodiments described above, the driving portion 25 may be configured to drive both the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 by using a single motor.

4-2. Modification 2

In the respective embodiments described above, the operating portion 35 may not be provided at the upper end of the stick element 31 but may be mounted, for example, on a side face of the stick element 31. In another example, the operating portion 35 may be provided at a location other than the handle portion 30 and may be provided, for example, on the main body portion 11. In another example, the operating portion 35 may be configured separately from the main body portion 11 and the handle portion 30, such as to allow for remote control of the rotational drives of the respective rollers 21 and 22.

4-3. Modification 3

In the second embodiment described above, either one of the first wiper 55 a configured to wipe the side face of the first roller 21 and the second wiper 55 b configured to wipe the side face of the second roller 22 may be omitted.

4-4. Modification 4

In the respective embodiments described above, the main body portion 11 may be moved backward with idling the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 in the state that the respective rollers 21 and 22 come into contact with the surface of undried concrete, so as to perform surface treatment of the undried concrete.

5. Various Aspects

The present disclosure may be implemented by various aspects described below.

5-1. Aspect 1

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a processing apparatus used for surface treatment of undried concrete. The processing apparatus of this aspect comprises a main body portion placed on the undried concrete; a first roller provided on a bottom portion of the main body portion; a second roller provided on a back side of the first roller on the bottom portion and arranged in parallel to the first roller; a driving portion mounted on the main body portion and configured to give a rotational driving force to the first roller and the second roller; and a handle portion protruded forward from the main body portion to be held by an operator who stands in front of the main body portion. The first roller and the second roller are configured to idle in such a state that the first roller and the second roller come into contact with a surface of the undried concrete by the rotational driving force of the driving portion, when the operator holds the handle portion to move the main body portion forward.

The processing apparatus of this aspect enables the surface of the undried concrete to be readily leveled off and smoothed by rubbing by side faces of the first roller and the second roller that idle on the surface of the undried concrete, and also readily removes the laitance. This configuration accordingly enhances the working efficiency of surface treatment of undried concrete and reduces the load on the operator. Furthermore, the processing apparatus of this aspect has the simple configuration and thereby readily allows for downsizing to be sufficiently suitable for even a narrow constructing location. Additionally, in the processing apparatus of this aspect, the main body portion is supported by one pair of rollers in the stable position. This configuration enables an operator to readily handle the main body portion through an operation via the handle portion even in a narrow constructing location. The processing apparatus of this aspect accordingly facilitates the surface treatment of the undried concrete.

5-2. Aspect 2

In the processing apparatus of the above aspect, the driving portion may comprise a first driving system configured to give the rotational driving force to the first roller and a second driving system configured to give the rotational driving force to the second roller, and is configured to individually control rotational drive of the first roller and rotational drive of the second roller.

The processing apparatus of this aspect enables an operator to individually regulate the rotations of the respective rollers according to the conditions of the concrete. This configuration thus readily enhances the finishing quality of the surface of concrete.

5-3. Aspect 3

In the processing apparatus of the above aspect, the handle portion may be provided with an operating portion configured to accept an operation of individually controlling the rotational drive of the first roller by the first driving system and the rotational drive of the second roller by the second driving system.

In the processing apparatus of this aspect, the operating portion is provided in the handle portion and is thus located near the hands of the operator. This configuration enables the operator to readily control the rotations of the respective rollers with checking the surface conditions of the concrete. This readily enhances the finishing quality of the surface of the concrete.

5-4. Aspect 4

In the processing apparatus of the above aspect, the main body portion may comprise at least one of a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the first roller and a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the second roller.

The processing apparatus of this aspect enables the concrete adhering to the side face of at least one of the first roller and the second roller to be removed by the wiper. This configuration accordingly suppresses deterioration of the finishing quality of the surface of concrete due to adhesion of concrete on the side face of the first roller or the second roller.

5-5. Aspect 5

In the processing apparatus of the above aspect, the driving portion may be configured to control rotations of the first roller and the second roller in rotating directions opposite to each other, such that the first roller and the second roller idle on the surface of the undried concrete.

The processing apparatus of this aspect rotates the first roller and the second roller in the directions opposite to each other. This configuration enables the state that at least one of the first roller and the second roller idles on the surface of the undried concrete to be further readily achieved.

5-6. Aspect 6

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of surface treatment of undried concrete. The method of this aspect comprises a process performed by an operator to place a first roller and a second roller, which are arranged in parallel to each other on a front side and on a back side and are configured to be rotated by a rotational driving force given by a driving portion, on the undried concrete; and a process performed by the operator to move the first roller and the second roller, which are rotated by the rotational driving force, in a front-back direction with idling the first roller and the second roller in such as state that the first roller and the second roller come into contact with a surface of the undried concrete, so as to level off and smooth the surface of the undried concrete.

The method of this aspect enables the surface of the undried concrete to be readily leveled off and smoothed by rubbing by side faces of the first roller and the second roller that idle on the surface of the undried concrete, and also readily removes the laitance. This configuration accordingly enhances the working efficiency of surface treatment of undried concrete and reduces the load on the operator.

5-7. Aspect 7

In the method of the above aspect, the process of leveling off and smoothing the surface of the undried concrete may comprise a process of moving the first roller and the second roller, which are rotated by the rotational driving force in rotating directions opposite to each other, in the front-back direction in the state that the first roller and the second roller come into contact with the surface of the undried concrete.

The method of this aspect rotates the first roller and the second roller in the directions opposite to each other. This configuration further facilitates the operation of leveling off and smoothing the surface of concrete by idling of the rollers. 

1. A processing apparatus used for surface treatment of undried concrete, the processing apparatus comprising: a main body portion placed on the undried concrete; a first roller provided on a bottom portion of the main body portion; a second roller provided on a back side of the first roller on the bottom portion and arranged in parallel to the first roller; a driving portion mounted on the main body portion and configured to give a rotational driving force to the first roller and the second roller; and a handle portion protruded forward from the main body portion to be held by an operator who stands in front of the main body portion, wherein the driving portion is configured to control rotations of the first roller and the second roller in rotating directions opposite to each other, such that at least one of the first roller and the second roller idle on the surface of the undried concrete.
 2. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving portion comprises a first driving system configured to give the rotational driving force to the first roller and a second driving system configured to give the rotational driving force to the second roller, and is configured to individually control rotational drive of the first roller and rotational drive of the second roller.
 3. The processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the handle portion is provided with an operating portion configured to accept an operation of individually controlling the rotational drive of the first roller by the first driving system and the rotational drive of the second roller by the second driving system.
 4. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the main body portion comprises at least one of a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the first roller and a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the second roller.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A method of surface treatment of undried concrete, the method comprising: a placing a first roller and a second roller, which are arranged in parallel to each other on a front side and on a back side and are configured to be rotated by a rotational driving force given by a driving portion, on the undried concrete; and a moving the first roller and the second roller, which are rotated by the rotational driving force in rotating directions opposite to each other, in the front-back direction in the state that at least one of the first roller and the second roller come into contact with the surface of the undried concrete.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the main body portion comprises at least one of a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the first roller and a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the second roller.
 9. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main body portion comprises at least one of a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the first roller and a wiper configured to wipe a side face of the second roller. 